Events

If you have never had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Gary Ivey about Sandhill Cranes, you won’t want to miss this tour. Join Gary in a small group caravan around the delta to see cranes feeding in the fields. Meet with him at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve SOUTH UNIT for an orientation and then travel along Woodbridge Road to view the Sandhill Cranes.

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 200 species of birds and is a roosting area for Sandhill Cranes. Join a local guide who will lead you along the Blue Heron Trail as you explore this magnificent wildlife sanctuary. The tour is tailored to nature lovers, beginning and intermediate birders, photographers, and children.

THIS TOUR IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION A tranquil Lodi Lake and the meandering Mokelumne River provide the rare opportunity for Crane Festival participants to enjoy a leisurely sunset patio boat ride. Join a local naturalist as you glide along viewing the lake's verdant scenery, resident birds, and wildlife.

Leave the driving to us. This tour combines a crane fly-in with birding on Staten Island, a premier Nature Conservancy/Conservation Farms and Ranches location, to learn what the birds already know - this is one of the best places in the Delta to spend the winter. Experienced docents will highlight the history of Staten Island and its partnership with the Cosumnes River Preserve.

This tour has all the excitement of the other fly-in tours in the area, but visitors will be able to view the Sandhill Cranes (and other birds) from the comfort of a viewing shelter. Seating is provided and maps, charts, and pictorials are on display. Also, visitors will be treated to a presentation by Department of Fish and Wildlife docents.

The Woodbridge Ecological Reserve is one of the few locations where Sandhill Cranes consistently roost in the Delta. At dusk, in large groups that can number from several hundred to several thousand, the cranes converge on the South Unit’s flooded fields for the night. CDFW Docents will give a presentation on the cranes in a private viewing area. The cranes determine end times for evening tours.

The Woodbridge Ecological Reserve is one of the few locations where Sandhill Cranes consistently roost in the Delta. At dusk, in large groups that can number from several hundred to several thousand, the cranes converge on the South Unit’s flooded fields for the night. CDFW Docents will give a presentation on the cranes in a private viewing area. The cranes determine end times for evening tours.

Serious birders won’t want to miss this walk through the Tall Forest at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Dr. John Trochet, a well-known field ornithologist, will lead you deep into one of the finest riparian habitats left in California. There you will see a rich variety of up to 90 resident and seasonal bird species.

If you have never experienced an early morning fly-out, you won’t want to miss this. Sandhill Cranes begin their day as the sun starts to rise and you’ll want to be there to see it. Best of all, Dr. Gary Ivey will be there to share his knowledge and answer your questions.

This tour is designed for experienced photographers with a basic knowledge of their camera (aperture, shutter speed and ISO). If you are interested in learning more about how to capture high quality images in low light and fog, with the challenges of early morning set ups, this is the tour for you. You will meet at Staten Island.

If you would like to improve your photography skills while capturing the beauty of wild birds, this is the tour for you. Join Jim Dunn for a morning foray at the Cosumnes River Preserve to discuss equipment options for wild bird photography and learn some of the key skills and techniques to get good photographs. You will have a chance to practice your skills at one of the best birding areas in northern California.

Bring your binoculars and enjoy a leisurely walk on flat ground through the old growth riparian habitat at Lodi Lake Nature Trail with a local birding expert.

If you are wanting to explore the Delta by boat, this is the tour for you. Cruise leisurely along the waterways of the California Delta through prime waterfowl habitat with a local licensed boat operator and a birder/naturalist.

Enjoy your drive through the Sierra foothills to Pardee Reservoir, where you will board a boat with East Bay Municipal Utility District naturalists and biologists. You will have a chance to see early season Golden and Bald Eagles, hawks and many local species.

A volunteer naturalist will guide you to areas that are best for viewing. The species you might see include Swainson’s Hawks, Red Tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, Red-Shouldered Hawks, and many others. Be sure to bring your binoculars and scopes. Over 250 species of birds frequent the Cosumnes River Preserve during the year, so no mater what, you will have a day to remember.

Join your guides on a rare walking tour of model wildlife habitat areas and adjoining vineyards, where you will see a variety of bird species and possibly even local mammals. The tour will culminate in a visit to the family winery where adults can peruse the many fine vintages that have been personally nurtured by the family from the soil to the bottle. Wine tasting on your own.

If you are wanting to explore the Delta by boat, this is the tour for you. Cruise leisurely along the waterways of the California Delta through prime waterfowl habitat with a local licensed boat operator and a birder/naturalist.

All ages are invited to fold origami cranes during the Festival – just follow the trail of folded cranes to the tables! Also on Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Gabe Kerschner with Wild Things! returns with some of their special animals for this fun and educational program.  In past years he has shared a mountain lion, brown bear, raccoon, Golden Eagle, Barn Owl, rattlesnake, and other rescued animals that could not be returned to the wild. This presentation repeats on Sunday at 1:40 PM.

In this introduction to Sandhill Cranes, you will learn about their life history, behavior, migration routes, and why our California Delta is so important to cranes. This presentation is also on Saturday at 10 AM.

Get inspired and join artists from the Lodi Community Art Center to create your own mini painting on paper or canvas to take home.  Supplies and encouragement provided, open to all ages. Also on Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Sandhill Cranes are secretive when nesting, but with current technology cranes can be seen on and around their nests without being disturbed.  For the past 3 years, two Sandhill Crane pairs were observed nesting in the Yampa Valley, Colorado, via a livestream camera. Video captured predator attacks, the parents changing places on the nest, unison calling, eggs hatching, and chicks in and near the nest.

Join master carvers from the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association to learn how to carve a bird from wood. All the necessary materials, including a study guide and carving knives, will be provided.

Gabe Kerschner with Wild Things! returns with some of their special animals for this fun and educational program.  In past years he has shared a mountain lion, brown bear, raccoon, Golden Eagle, Barn Owl, rattlesnake, and other rescued animals that could not be returned to the wild. This presentation is also on Sunday at 10:30 AM. 

If you are wanting to explore the Delta by boat, this is the tour for you. Cruise leisurely along the waterways of the California Delta through prime waterfowl habitat with a local licensed boat operator and a birder/naturalist.

Look closer into the polli-Nation of bee diversity in your backyard.  Hear about the importance of native bees, what challenges they are facing, and what you can do to help them out!

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SEE COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. Since this is a small group tour, you will have open conversations with the Preserve's biologists and get all your questions answered. The Cosumnes River Preserve is the finest Valley Oak riparian forest and wetland in California.

Leave the driving to us! This tour combines a crane fly-in with birding on Staten Island, a premier Nature Conservancy/Conservation Farms and Ranches location, to learn what the birds already know - this is one of the best places in the Delta to spend the winter.

This tour has all the excitement of the other fly-in tours in the area, but visitors will be able to view the Sandhill Cranes (and other birds) from the comfort of a viewing shelter. Seating is provided and maps, charts, and pictorials are on display. Also, visitors will be treated to a presentation by Department of Fish and Wildlife docents.

The Woodbridge Ecological Reserve is one of the few locations where Sandhill Cranes consistently roost in the Delta. At dusk, in large groups that can number from several hundred to several thousand, the cranes converge on the South Unit’s flooded fields for the night. CDFW Docents will give a presentation on the cranes in a private viewing area. The cranes determine end times for evening tours.